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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 11, 2021

Socorro, N.M.-- New Mexico Tech (NMT) today released its interim policy regarding proof of COVID-19 vaccination or COVID-19 surveillance testing. The interim policy goes into effect on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, and provides an added level of protection for the health of our students, staff, faculty, and visitors to the campus. 

The interim policy is designed to address the ongoing pandemic as well as the emergence and evolution of variants, such as the Delta. During the New Mexico Tech Board of Regents emergency meeting on August 9, 2021, the regents unanimously endorsed the key elements of this interim policy and expressed their strongest respect for the science that supports COVID-19 vaccinations.

NMT’s interim policy affords its employees and students the choice to provide proof of full vaccination or proof of a weekly negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test. While NMT strives to achieve the highest percentage of vaccinated students, staff, and faculty possible, it understands that not everyone can be vaccinated due to medical conditions or religious beliefs.

The science is well documented--vaccines are safe and highly effective. While New Mexico Tech is not mandating faculty, staff, and students get vaccinated at this time, it is the university’s duty to take every common-sense step possible to protect not only New Mexico Tech, but also the people of Socorro and the surrounding areas. New Mexico Tech also will continue to work with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and her staff to stem the spread of COVID-19 in our state.

New Mexico Tech’s policies and protocols are data-driven, and, as such, New Mexico Tech’s leadership is constantly monitoring guidance from the CDC, New Mexico Department of Health, and Governor’s office. New Mexico Tech understands that the pandemic is dynamic--it can recede and it can escalate--and NMT’s policies will scale accordingly.

As New Mexico Tech navigates its second year of operating during a global pandemic, it will continue to take every step possible to maintain the highest levels of safety for its campus, community, state, and those who visit New Mexico Tech.

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